FEATURES OF RECREATION
According to travelers, Madagascar is a “continent in miniature,” literally overflowing with exotic life forms, many of which are found only on this island. There is extinct volcanoes And high mountains, valleys and rivers, tropical forests and semi-deserts. There are no luxury hotels in Madagascar: this is a place for those who are looking not for luxurious rooms, but for new experiences, 100% exotic and eco-friendly. Popular excursion routes V National parks Madagascar. Main resorts: Tulear, Antsirabe, Ile Sainte-Marie, Nosy Be.

VISA
Citizens of Russia and the CIS to visit the country require an entry visa to Madagascar, which can be obtained either directly upon arrival in the country or at the Madagascar embassy.

Applying for a visa upon arrival. When crossing the border, you must present a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay in the country and a printout return tickets. A visa valid for up to 30 days is issued free of charge, valid for up to 90 days, costs approximately 60 euros. When crossing the border, you must have a return air ticket with you, as well as an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever (for persons who have been within 6 last days in a country that is disadvantaged in this regard).
Attention. The absence of these documents may serve as grounds for denying entry to Madagascar on a short-term visa. Transit is carried out on the basis of an ordinary visa.

Applying for a visa at the consulate. Required documents:

• a foreign passport valid for at least 6 months from the end of the trip (with at least one blank page),
• 4 forms filled out in French and signed personally by the tourist,
• 4 photos 3x4,
• original invitation (or fax),
• original air tickets or copies thereof, or e-tickets round trip.

For children traveling accompanied by one of the parents or third parties, you will also need to provide a copy of the power of attorney from the parent(s) to take the child out. Children under 16 years old are included in the visa of their parents (mother).

Visa application forms are submitted in 4 copies, with a photograph attached to each copy. The questionnaires are double-sided, that is, they are printed in such a way that there is page 1 on one side of the sheet and page 2 on the other.

The processing time is two to three working days. The personal presence of the applicant is not required. There is no pre-registration. There is no visa fee.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Republic of Madagascar, is an island nation located on the island of Madagascar (the fourth largest island in the world) and adjacent small islands off the coast of Africa. Area - 587 thousand km², population - 20.7 million people. The island is located in the southwestern Indian Ocean on the island of Madagascar and the adjacent islands of Nosy Be, Nosy Burah and others. Madagascar is separated from the eastern coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel (the closest country on the mainland is the Republic of Mozambique). Surroundings island states: in the northwest of the Union Comoros and the French island of Mayotte, in the northeast the Republic of Seychelles, in the east - the French territory of Reunion and the Republic of Mauritius.

CAPITAL
The capital of the country is Antananarivo. The city was founded in the first half of the 17th century by King Andrianzaka of Imerina. Translated from the Merina language, the name of the city means “a thousand villages” or “a city of a thousand warriors.” In the 19th century, it was the capital of the united Madagascar. At the same time, for a long time there were practically no stone buildings in the city, with the exception of the royal palace of Ruva (Rova), since their construction was prohibited by a decree of Queen Ranavaluna I in 1825. After the occupation of the island by the French and the deposition of Queen Ranavaluna III in 1896, the city (called Tananarive) became the center of the French colony of Madagascar. During this period, the University of Madagascar and the Tsimbazaza Zoo were founded in the city. Since 1960 it has been the capital of independent Madagascar. Antananarivo is connected by railway to the east coast (Tuamasina), the area of ​​Lake Alaotra (Ambatundrazaka) and the city of Antsirabe. Highways connect the capital with all provinces, and there are also international Airport Antananarivo. Attractions: Royal Palace Ruva (1828, rebuilt in the 1880s), Tsimbazaza Zoo (founded 1926), traditional Malagasy market "zuma".

AIR TRAVEL
There are no direct flights from Russia. Most popular flight Air flights France with a connection in Paris. Flight duration is 14 hours excluding connections. Regular flights operate between Madagascar and Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Tanzania and South Africa.

TRANSPORT
The easiest and cheapest way to travel around the country is by bus. Flight schedules are usually posted at the airport and on special stands at the terminal. The most convenient way to travel around cities is by taxi. There are two types of cars: licensed ones with an Adema logo and meters, as well as numerous “unofficial taxis”, which usually do not have a meter, but prices are fixed and depend on distance and traffic density. The cost of the trip should be agreed upon in advance, before getting into the car. You can also bargain in private taxis. Specific types of local transport are fast and convenient “taxi-be” and cheaper, but slow “taxi-brusi”. They are a cross between minibuses and regular taxis. There is always a schedule at the stops. The fare must be agreed upon in advance before boarding the car. Also in all cities there are rickshaws of all types.

MONEY
The monetary unit is the Malagasy Ariar (international designation - MGA, domestically - Ar), equal to 5 iraimbilani. Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 ariary. Coins: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20 and 50 ariar, as well as 1 and 2 iraimbilani. Detailed and reliable information on exchange rates can be found on the website of the country's largest bank - BNI

Availability of ATMs and distribution of credit cards. Visa and Master Card ATMs are installed in almost all bank branches - both in Antananarivo and in the provinces.

TIME
There is no time difference with Moscow, when switching to winter time (-1 hour)

ELECTRICITY
The mains voltage is 220 V, 50 Hz, a two-pin socket is used. During a thunderstorm, significant overloads and power outages are possible.

CONNECTION
Telephone communications The country's communication system is quite outdated, but recently it has been modernized. The number of pay phones (operated by coins) on the streets is small; they are mainly concentrated near banks, hotels and large stores. International telephone communication is available only in the main cities of the country. The cost of a minute of conversation with Moscow is about 5 USD during the daytime and about 2 USD after 22.00, as well as on weekends and holidays. To call a country, after dialing the international country code (261), dial the code geographical area and operator, and then the five-digit subscriber number. Some city codes: Antananarivo - 2; Ambusitra, Antsirabe - 4; Ambatundrazaka, Tuamasina, Muramanga, Nosy-Buraha (Saint-Marie) - 5; Antsiranana, Madzunga, Maintirana, Mahajanga - 6; Fianarantsoa, ​​Manakara, Mananzari, Farafangana - 7; Nosy Be, Sambava - 8; Morondava, Toliara - 9. Outgoing international code - 16.

cellular There are three GSM cellular operators in Madagascar - Telma, Orange and Zain, which also offer GPRS, EDGE and 3G Internet services (available in Antananarivo, as well as a number of large settlements). Cellular communications use the GSM-900 standard, coverage areas cover mainly only big cities and areas adjacent to main roads. SIM cards can be purchased at the offices of local network operators Antaris and Madacom. Roaming is available to Beeline and Megafon subscribers. When purchasing a SIM card, you must present your passport and fill out a subscriber card. Regular Internet access can be obtained at internet cafes in Antananarivo and some other major cities.

CLIMATE
The Tropic of Capricorn lies in the southern part of Madagascar. have an impact on the climate big influence relief of the island and wind direction. Like the rest of the southern hemisphere, Madagascar has two seasons. The average annual air temperature on the island from January to February is 20°C; from March to May 25°C; from June to September 20°C; from October to December -25°C.

The climate in the south of the island is arid, tropical, hot. Average temperatures - January - 20°C; from February to May 30°C; from June to September 25°C; from October to December from 28 to 32°C.

Climate west coast arid, tropical. It rains extremely rarely. Average temperatures: from January to February 25°C; from March to April 30°C; from May to October from 22 to 25°C; from November to December from 30 to 32°C.

The climate in the north of Madagascar is tropical. During the rainy season, vast areas receive abundant moisture, including the island of Nosy Be, which explains its lush vegetation. Average temperatures from January to April are from 25 to 30°C; from May to July from 20 to 25°C; from August to September from 15 to 20°C.

The east coast climate is humid, tropical. The rains continue all year round. They can be short-term (less than an hour a day), and sometimes do not stop for several days in a row. The most sunshine occurs in May and September. Average temperatures from January to February are 25°C; from March to April - 30°C; from May to July from 20 to 25°C; from August to September 15°C; from October to November from 20 to 25°C; December 30°C.

Cyclones come from the east between January and March, sometimes very strong. Wind speeds can gust up to 200 km/h. This explains the strict orientation of Malagasy houses: doors and windows face only west. During the height of the monsoon season, there is usually a thunderstorm in the afternoon and all activities cease. During the rainy season, you must take a waterproof raincoat and shoes for your trip.

LANGUAGE
Malagasy, in a referendum on April 4, 2007, more than 70% of citizens approved the introduction of English and French as official languages . About 25% of the population speaks French fluently; less speak English. In the late 1970s, Russian was taught in the capital's schools; many representatives of the intelligentsia and armed forces studied in the USSR and speak Russian.

The Malagasy language belongs to the Indonesian branch of the Malay-Polynesian family of languages. Over the long history of its evolution, the Malagasy language has combined Malay and Polynesian dialects, words from Arabic and Amharic languages, from Bantu languages, including Swahili, from European languages, as well as Creole words. Linguists identify elements of Sanskrit in the language and argue that before arriving in Madagascar, Malay migrants passed through India at a time when Sanskrit was still spoken there and settled on the island more than two thousand years ago.

RELIGION
50% of Malagasy people practice traditional religions
40% are Christians (about equal parts Catholics and Protestants)
10% are Muslims

Traditional Beliefs
Adherents of world religions also worship their ancestors here, and local priests always take part in the Famadihan rituals. The Malagasy people have always believed in one god, named Andriamanitra ("Fragrant Lord") or Zanahary ("Creator"). The head of state swears allegiance to Andriamanitra, the people and the ancestors. Unlike God, who created the world but lost interest in it, ancestors take an active part in people’s lives. They help their family or punish for not following customs and breaking fadi. In addition to God and ancestors, the Malagasy worship many spirits, to whom they sacrifice zebu and chickens. It is believed that spirits and ancestors inhabit animals and objects, which gives rise to various fadi - a ban on touching the relevant animals, plants and objects. Different parts of the country revere their kings and ancestors, so the fadis vary. Madagascar is a country of traditional culture. The norms of life of the Malagasy people to this day are regulated by a number of taboos - “fadi”, different for a particular region of the country, as well as for an ethnic group. Failure to comply with them may lead to a conflict situation when contacting the local population. Please respect local traditions. Fate (vintana) is also revered, the management of which requires the advice of astrologers (Madagascar has its own original astrology, related to Arabic), amulets and compliance with a number of rules of behavior in everyday life and home arrangement. The principles of organizing living space for proper interaction with vintana are close to the principles of Feng Shui.

KITCHEN
The basis of the entire cuisine of the island is rice in all sorts of combinations with various fillings - meat, cheese, vegetables, seafood and, of course, sauce and spices. Most rice dishes are very similar to Asian ones, but their characteristic feature is the abundance of hot green pepper, which, however, is added to any dish. There are also a lot of sauces, ranging from the traditional local tomato-garlic and spicy achard sauce, to the cosmopolitan curry and soy sauce. But at the same time, they are all made taking into account local specifics - local herbs and spices are added to traditional recipes. Fruits are present in abundance on the local table - exotic lychees and anona, traditional persimmons and mangoes, guava and strawberries, bananas of all varieties and pineapples, and, of course, coconuts. Fruits and vegetables are also used as a side dish - cassava, pickles, green papaya, and pepper are added to meat dishes. Always on the table are rice and coconut pudding “gudzuguzu”, traditional cakes made from rice flour with sugar “mukari” and a variety of pies. Despite the fact that poultry, geese and pigs are present in abundance on the island, the most important meat dish is zebu fillet. It is roasted on a spit, baked on a hearth, and used to make roast beef, stew or carpaccio. They can be served with mashed cassava leaves and coconut, with fried tomatoes and spices, with stewed vegetables and aromatic herbs, with baked apples, or even just with French fries.

• "ro" - salad of herbs and spices with rice
• "Anana" - rice and herb salad with shrimp
• “henombi ritra” – zebu meat in tomato-garlic sauce
• “henakiso si ravitoto” - pork with crushed cassava leaves
• “henakiso si armalona” – pork with eel, tomatoes and onions.
• "rumazawa" - meat stew with tomatoes and spices
• "Kitosa" - long strips of smoked, dried or fried meat
• "Ravitutu" - assorted beef or pork stewed with cassava

HOLIDAYS

• 1st of January New Year
• March 8 International Women's Day, afternoon non-working 17
• March 29 is Martyrs' Day - a day of remembrance for those who rebelled against the colonial regime in 1947
• moving date in March-April Clean Monday
• May 1st Labor Day
• May 25 Organization of African Unity Day
• moving date in May-June Ascension
• movable date in June Spiritual day
• June 26 Independence Day
• August 15 Assumption of the Virgin Mary
• November 1st All Saints Day
• December 25th Christmas
• December 30 is the Jubilee of the Republic - the anniversary of the proclamation of the Second Republic in 1975.

TIPS
The sum of all tips usually does not exceed 10% of the total amount. The local population is not rich in Madagascar and will be happy, especially children, with small gifts from tourists.

SHOPS AND SHOPPING
Opening hours of grocery and department store stores. Large capital supermarkets - Jumbo, Leader Price and Shoprite - are open without a lunch break from Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 19.00, on Sunday - from 09.00 to 13.00.

When purchasing emeralds, processed, cut and polished stones ready for jewelry purposes, you should definitely take a certificate from the seller, which will be required at customs. All products made from representatives of Malagasy flora and fauna (including dried flowers) also require export certificates for export, which must be obtained at the time of purchase. It must be borne in mind that the vast majority of souvenirs of this kind, sold in markets and souvenir shops, are manufactured illegally and therefore do not have any certificates for export from the country, and the tourist who buys them can be subject to a fairly large fine.

SAFETY

Based on the objective situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry recommends that Russians, in order to ensure personal safety, take the following precautions:

• always have with you a notarized copy of the pages of your international passport with registration certificate and a valid visa, driver’s license; Keep your passport, airline tickets and other personal documents in safe place to avoid their damage, loss or theft;
• do not leave your place of residence without mobile phone; know the contact numbers of the Consular Section of the Embassy and emergency services;
• do not carry large sums of money or valuables with you;
• avoid crowded places - markets, stadiums, demonstrations, celebrations, etc.;
• refrain from hiking, especially in the dark; in Antananarivo, avoid visiting the areas of Ambouidzatuvu, Anpasama, Ambundrun, Analakeli and Anusi;
• don't use public transport; travel, if possible, during daylight hours by taxi or private car, closing the windows and locking the doors; stop only at the request of law enforcement officers;
• when attacked, do not resist the criminals; upon the fact of an unlawful act, it is mandatory to draw up a report at the territorial police station/gendarmerie and seek qualified assistance from the Consular Section of the Embassy;
• purchase goods subject to export restrictions (jewelry, precious stones, etc.) exclusively in places of licensed trade; at the time of buying
• require certificates confirming the origin of the goods, which may be needed during customs inspection.
• exchange currency only at official exchange offices or banks, require a corresponding receipt.
• respect the customs and morals of the Malagasy people.
• if you need to travel outside of Antananarivo.
• hire an officially registered Russian-speaking guide, preferably from a large licensed major travel company, and strictly adhere to its recommendations.
• carefully work out the route and schedule of the trip.
• for short stops, choose places that best meet safety requirements (in populated areas, in the field of view of the police, etc.)
• have a means of communication - a mobile or satellite phone, it should be taken into account that in rural areas cellular often absent.
• move only during daylight hours, preferably accompanied by guides.
• Before leaving, especially over long distances, check the technical condition of the car and the availability of a first aid kit.
• You can swim in the ocean without risk only in lagoons and areas protected by coral reefs. In other places they constantly meet sea ​​urchins and sharks, and dangerous reptiles live in river mouths and mangrove forests. In rainforest areas, mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects pose a certain danger. Malaria is common almost everywhere east coast countries, while in some areas there are varieties of malaria pathogens that are resistant to bigumal, hingamine and other traditional drugs. It is therefore recommended to start taking anti-malarial drugs before departure and continue for several weeks after returning. In freshwater bodies of water with low flow or stagnant water, there are leeches (there are many of them in rain forests) and pathogens of various diseases, so you can only swim in specially designated areas.

Precautionary measures before travel.
An important part of preparing for a trip to Madagascar is a comprehensive medical examination several weeks before departure. In addition to excluding obvious contraindications, it will allow us to identify diseases and lesions that are insignificant under ordinary conditions, which tend to worsen and progress quickly in extreme conditions.

Immunoprophylaxis.
Despite the fact that no special vaccinations are required to visit Madagascar, the Malagasy Pasteur Institute recommends that adults be vaccinated against typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and tuberculosis, and children additionally against Haemophilus influenzae, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, rubella, mumps, pneumococci, polio, rotavirus infection. When planning trips to hotspots of malaria, it is necessary to carry out appropriate drug prophylaxis.

Please obtain advice on vaccinations and medications in advance at the CENTRAL VACCINATION STATION OF POLYCLINIC No. 13

Phone 495-6219465
Address: Moscow, Trubnaya st., 19, building 1
Metro: Trubnaya, Sukharevskaya, Tsvetnoy Boulevard

Opening hours: Monday - Friday from 08:00 to 20:00.

• Hygiene measures. We should not forget that any prolonged stay in a tropical climate threatens the visitor with at least intestinal disorders. To prevent their development, it is necessary to eat in proven places, completely eliminating raw milk and unboiled water, ice, unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables, unheat-treated meat, fish, and seafood.
• Measures to protect against insect bites.
  The coastal regions of Madagascar are replete with blood-sucking arthropods, which are carriers of dangerous diseases - malaria, dengue fever, etc. It is necessary to use repellents, antiseptics, clothing with anti-mosquito impregnation and special products.

CUSTOMS CONTROL

Alcohol and cigarettes.

• Import of alcoholic beverages up to 2 liters is duty free.
• Import of cigarettes up to 20 packs or 2 blocks is duty free.
• Personal items that have no commercial value can be imported duty-free within the limits of individual needs.

Jewelry and valuables.

• For foreigners - with a total weight of up to 1 kg, precious stones must be accompanied by an appropriate certificate issued by the Ministry of Mining (issued upon purchase).
• Jewelry must have a seal.
• A customs declaration is required if the total weight of exported products exceeds 250 g.
• To export products made from valuable types of wood, an export permit issued by the Ministry of the Environment is required.

Artistic and cultural-historical values.
An export permit issued by the Ministry of Culture is required.

Weapons and ammunition. Forbidden

Currency. Import/export of national currency is not declared for amounts not exceeding 400,000 ariary. The import of foreign currency is not limited, however, when importing significant amounts of foreign currency, it is recommended to fill out a declaration in order to avoid problems with customs control when leaving the country. When exporting foreign currency is subject to mandatory written declaration if the total equivalent amount exceeds 10,000,000 ariary. Foreign currency purchased in Madagascar must be accompanied by the appropriate exchange receipts.

Other.
Export of meat products is duty-free up to 5 kg.
Export of fish and seafood is duty-free up to 2 kg of each product with a total weight of up to 10 kg.
Export of plant products:
onions, peppers, coffee - up to 1 kg of each product;
grains, cereals, beans - up to 5 kg;
culinary vanilla (in pods or ground) - up to 2 kg.

Prohibited for export

• Counterfeit products, as well as products that do not meet the requirements of Malagasy morality legislation.
• Types of flora and fauna, as well as products made from them, the export of which is prohibited in accordance with national and international legislation (the full list is available on the website of the Customs Administration of the Republic of Moldova www.douanes.gov.mg).
• Native gold, untreated precious and semi-precious stones, industrial minerals.

Animals and plants

• To export plants, you need a phytosanitary certificate and an export permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. The export of plants covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is coordinated at the level of the Ministry of the Environment.
• A veterinary certificate of international standard with a note of vaccination against rabies is required. A pet can be quarantined for up to 3 months. To export animals, you need a veterinary certificate and an export permit issued by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry or Fisheries and Fisheries Resources. The export of animals covered by the CITES Convention is coordinated at the level of the Ministry of the Environment.

IF PROBLEMS OCCUR AND USEFUL INFORMATION

The original language of Madagascar

The official languages ​​of Madagascar are a dialect of Malagasy called Merina and French. Almost the entire population of the country is Malagasy, which belongs to the Malay group of languages. All of them are divided into nineteen different tribal groups, such as the Merina, Betsileo, Antaisaka, Hova, Tsi-Mikheti, Sakalave and others. This means that 99% of the population speaks Malagasy.

The original language of Madagascar

The official languages ​​of Madagascar are a dialect of the Malagasy language called Merina and French. Almost the entire population of the country is Malagasy, which belongs to the Malay group of languages. All of them are divided into nineteen different tribal groups, such as the Merina, Betsileo, Antaisaka, Hova, Tsi-Mikheti, Sakalave and others. This means that 99% of the population speaks Malagasy.

This language is not related to nearby African languages, since it belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian group of the Austronesian family of languages. In pronunciation, the Malagasy language is similar to the languages ​​of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines; the languages ​​spoken on the island of Borneo are closest to it: the basic vocabulary of Malagasy almost completely coincides with the vocabulary of the Ma'anyan language in the southern regions of Borneo. We must assume that indigenous people Madagascar came from a mixture of inhabitants borneo islands, Arabs and East Africans. In the 18th century, pirate bases were located on the island, which also contributed to the formation of the local language.

The Malagasy language does not have a written language, but it has a large number of legends and poetic traditions in oral form.

Democratic Republic of Madagascar.

The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - Malagasy.

Capital of Madagascar. Antananarivo.

Area of ​​Madagascar. 587041 km2.

Population of Madagascar. 15983 thousand people

Location of Madagascar. The state is located in Madagascar, the fourth largest in the world. Separated from the strait. There are also several small islands.

Administrative divisions of Madagascar. The state is divided into 6 faritaniyas (provinces).

Madagascar form of government. Republic.

Head of State of Madagascar. President, elected for a term of 5 years.

Higher Legislature Madagascar. Bicameral Parliament (Senate and National Assembly).

Supreme executive body of Madagascar. Government.

Major cities of Madagascar. Toamasina, Fianarantsoa, ​​Mahajanga, Tulear, Antseranana.

Official language of Madagascar. Malagasy, French.

Religion of Madagascar. 52% are pagans, 41% are Christians, 7% are Muslims.

Ethnic composition of Madagascar. 26% - Merina, 12% - Betsileo, 7% - Tsimiheti, 6% - Sakalave, 5% - Antaisaka.

Currency of Madagascar. Malagasy franc = 100 centimes.

Flora of Madagascar. Tropical forests grow in the eastern part of the country, predominant in the western regions, and desert areas in the south. Here you can see the famous “Travelers Tree” - the Madagascar Ravenala, which looks like a giant fan.

Fauna of Madagascar. Among the representatives of the animal world of Madagascar, numerous species of lemurs, which are found only in this territory, should be highlighted, as well as insectivorous tenrecs, water boars, and bats.

Rivers and lakes of Madagascar. Largest rivers- Betsiboka, Tsiribigya, Man-goki and Onilahi. There are many waterfalls along the course. The most big lake- Alaotra.

Sights of Madagascar. In Antananarivo - Museum of Art, Museum of Archeology, the building of the former palace of the Queen of Madagascar. Tourists are also attracted by coral colonies and rare animals.

Useful information for tourists

Flying up to Madagascar on a plane, you are filled with surprise - is the earth really that color? A surreal landscape from The Martian Chronicles appears before your eyes - bright red earth and bright green vegetation. There are no luxury hotels and sanatoriums here, this is a paradise for those who appreciate the hospitality of the residents and true exoticism - the ocean, mountains, and wildlife. The main thing that gives Madagascar its special glory is the unique originality of its flora, fauna and even population, the genetic connections of which with the inhabitants of neighboring continents remain largely unclear to this day. The natural attractions of the island are extremely diverse, ranging from placers of precious and semi-precious stones to geysers, waterfalls and amazingly beautiful lakes formed in extinct craters.

It is better to tip in local currency; in restaurants it is 10% of the total cost of the order.

When planning a trip to distant countries, many tourists are interested in the life there. There are many interesting facts that everyone who is planning their holiday in this country should definitely know. Here unique flora and fauna, a rich history dating back to ancient times.

Nature of Madagascar

The entire island is one state, located in Indian Ocean. It is often referred to as Africa, and geographically this is true. Most interesting facts about Madagascar are the following:

Historical interesting facts about the country of Madagascar

The first people appeared on the island more than 2000 years ago. During this historical period local residents experienced a huge number of important events. The most interesting of them are:

1. The island was first discovered in the 16th century by explorer Diego Diaz from Portugal. Since then, Madagascar has been used as an important trading hub.
2. In 1896, the French captured the country, turning it into their colony. In 1946, the island began to be considered an overseas territory of invaders.
3. In 1960, Madagascar gained independence and gained complete freedom.
4. In 1990, Marxist rule ended here, and the veto on all opposition parties was lifted.
5. The peak of the royal mountain of Ambohimanga is considered an important historical one on the island. It is a place of worship for Aboriginal people and is a religious and cultural asset of the state.

Ethnic Interesting Facts about Madagascar

The number of inhabitants in the country is almost 23 million people. They all speak the official languages: French and Malagasy. The traditions and culture of the Aboriginal people are quite multifaceted; the most interesting facts are: